Q: What do you feel is the role of city government - in what areas should city government be involved, and in what areas does a city government have no business? Why do you feel this way?

Editor's note: Look for a Q&A with Danny Cothern and Aaron DuVall, candidates for Pope County sheriff, in Sunday's edition of The Courier.

Ward 1, Position 2

Phil Carruth: "Mayors and city councils are responsible to citizens for using tax payments fairly and efficiently for the intended benefit of our citizens and city employees. Officials should perform their duties in a lawful manner that reflects positively on themselves and their city.

"A mayor is an administrator. A council plans the future and allocates tax proceeds. City councils should know how citizens think about issues. Public sentiment blends with personal beliefs to form positions on personnel, planning and resource allocation.

"The word 'council' means advisor. The wisdom of a council is passed to a mayor to be used/not used in his or her daily duties. Unlike a business board of directors, a council cannot hire/fire an elected mayor. Citizens do that in elections. A council controls the use of tax proceeds and is able to correct mayoral misuse by very careful attention to the planning and budgeting process.

"In addition to advising, the first duty of a council is to provide the plans and funds for protective services, the police and fire/rescue departments. Zoning, streets, drainage, sewer and water are important responsibilities. Recreational facilities for all age groups help make this city one of the best anywhere. Our animal shelter is also a credit to our city. Solid waste and recycling? Yes, this city should be concerned with economical collection and reuse of waste. We should support groups developing sites and recruiting new employers to our area. Without planned growth and prudent spending today, our best tomorrow will never be realized."

Gene Daughtry: "The role of city government is to provide 'direction and vision' for the city that benefits the population of that city.

"'Direction and vision' includes providing a safe environment and infrastructure so citizens can become prosperous and successful in whatever endeavor those citizens deem important. 'Direction and vision' includes creating a climate that attracts new growth that makes sense for that city. 'Direction and vision' includes cooperation and leadership for the good of the entire city and not just a few within that city. All of this while being good stewards of the people's money and trust.

"City government does not need to be involved in individuals' private lives, or the daily operations of citizens' businesses.

"The city government is here to manage the business of the city. Help the city grow along an organized and safe path. If the leaders of a city are doing their jobs correctly, that job should mostly go unnoticed. The company I worked for prior to starting Bestride required all managers receive 40 hours of management training each year. In that training, they taught us as managers 'we should make every decision like the results of that decision would appear on the front page of the newspaper.'"

"In city government, the decisions and actions are going to appear in the paper. I believe those newspaper articles should reflect positive and progressive leadership in our city so the citizens we represent are confident in our abilities to lead and move the city in the right direction."